Spend penny or two so we don't loos out

Published on Monday 18 April 2011 17:28

THE public could be charged to "spend a penny" in a bid to keep Edinburgh's public toilets open.

The city council has revealed it is looking at "a range of options" for provision of public toilets in the city, including using facilities in council buildings such as the City Arts Centre and libraries.

But calls are also being made for the council to adopt "nominal" charges to ensure as many of the city's 30 public toilets as possible can be kept open.

Councillors agreed in February to look at closing half of Edinburgh's toilets, but nothing has been decided yet and the council is now trying to find alternative solutions.

The Evening News has previously reported that council chiefs want local businesses such as pubs to open up their toilets for public use.

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City centre Tory councillor Joanna Mowatt said: "I would like to see as wide a provision as possible and if that means a nominal charge then that's better than no facilities at all.

"Businesses don't particularly like the thought of everyone using their loos as it's a bit of an imposition. If we can look at other options it would be very useful."

A recent council survey found that 40 per cent of residents were not even aware of the public toilets in their area, while 66 said they had never used a public toilet in Edinburgh.

According to the survey, 62 per cent of people said a lack of public toilets would not stop them venturing into the city.

Over the next few weeks, the council will be contacting around 70 businesses from different areas of the city to get their views on offering public toilet facilities in the future.

The council is looking towards a similar initiative run by Perth and Kinross Council called the Comfort Scheme.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said: "Nothing has been decided yet, but the council is keen to seek the views of local residents and businesses.

"We are keen to offer alternative provision, so that enhanced facilities are provided. All that will change is that they will be in different locations.

"This is a positive thing, as good toilets already exist in public buildings and local businesses may be able to benefit from more potential customers and good publicity."

It is estimated reducing the number of public toilets by half could save the council around 400,000.

Mike Bone, director of the British Toilet Association, which is running a nationwide "Save Our Toilets" campaign, said: "If Edinburgh is looking at a strategy that would include other public buildings such as libraries, leisure centres, shopping centres and pubs then that's got to be good news.

"Nobody would object to paying 20p but they are going to expect good, clean, safe and hygienic facilities in return."